Straits Times Asian News

WELLINGTON (REUTERS) - New Zealand has long been seen as the moderate, even absent, voice on China in the "Five Eyes" western alliance, so much so that its commitment to the group was questioned just 12 months ago.

They are putting the government under pressure in key districts and potentially reshaping the country's political landscape.

The country said it was ramping up the military distribution of medicines.

The authorities deemed them unnecessary in the face of a financial crunch.

COLOMBO (AFP) - Crisis-hit Sri Lanka has run out of petrol and is unable to find dollars to finance essential imports, the new prime minister said on Monday (May 16) in an address to the nation.

SEOUL (REUTERS) - Standing tall in bright red hazmat suits, five North Korean health workers stride towards an ambulance to do battle with a Covid-19 outbreak that - in the presumed absence of vaccines - the country is using antibiotics and home remedies to treat.

The inferno in 2019 was one of the most damaging of the "black summer" bush fires in Australia that killed 34.

Protesters remained camped outside President Gotabaya Rajapaksa's residence demanding that he resign.

The island nation could be formally declared in default if it fails to make an interest payment before Wednesday.

Mr Xi said China can't promote "welfarism."

The 11km tunnel will stretch from Blackheath to Little Hartly, and reduce travel times by up to 30 minutes.

Yoon said his talks with Biden will include various economic security issues.

Prolonged rainy season and a rise in temperatures pose a serious threat to Indonesian apple farming.

The city will reopen supermarkets, convenience stores and pharmacies on Monday.

About five patients have died from ghost surgeries in the past eight years.

If the US had the same Covid-19 death rate as Australia, about 900,000 lives would have been saved.

Majority of poor workers, who generally work outdoors, are vulnerable to the scorching temperatures.

Scott Morrison puts housing at the forefront of his election campaign.

New Zealand seeks to phase out fossil fuels and play its role in mitigating global warming.

The government will allocate NZ$20 million ($17.51 million) over four years from this week's budget.